University Systems help desk

University Systems offers a number of services and recommendations to maximize the security of your data. When starting to assess the security of your data, discuss with your manager or supervisor whether it is absolutely necessary for you to store university data. The Information Security Classification Procedures (IM7800) outlines how university data is classified, and the access restrictions that apply to these classifications.

The best protection of university data from physical loss or theft is to avoid storing it on a computer, smart phone, or USB device.

Please select one of the following options for more information about available security measures.

Secure your device

Secure your account

Internet storage

University Systems does not recommend storing any university data on Internet storage services such as (but not limited to) Dropbox, iCloud, Google Docs, and Office Live. You may inadvertently synchronize sensitive information stored in these files. The Protection of Privacy Policy (GV0235) states that the university must comply with BC's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). FIPPA requires that storage and access of personal information, which may include email addresses, contact information, or other personally identifiable details, must be stored only in Canada (FIPPA section 30.1). For further information about storing and handling data at UVic, including the classification of information, refer to the Information Security Policy (IM7800). University Systems is currently not aware of any Internet storage provider that can guarantee that your content will remain exclusively in Canada.

University Systems provides network storage for all active faculty, staff, and students that can be accessed from on-campus and over the Internet. This network storage is hosted solely in Canada and is the best place to store university data.